Identification and Analysis of a

Problem

Dr. Robert Mugabe

The Concept of “PROBLEM” What is a
problem?

• A Problem can be defined as the difference

between an actual state of affairs and a
desired state of affairs.
• A problem exists when there is a discrepancy
between WHAT IS and WHAT SHOULD BE.

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 cotd

- An opportunity for improvement.

- A difference between the actual state and desired
state.
• A problem results from the recognition of a present
imperfection and the belief in the possibility of a
better future.
• A research problem has to indicate the possibility of
empirical investigation--that is, of data collection and
analysis.
 WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROBLEM
• A research problem is  the situation that causes
the researcher to feel apprehensive, confused
and ill at ease.
• A statement of the problem describes what the
researcher has identified as existing in literature,
theory or practice – a condition which needs to
be probed and solutions found.
• It can be described as the ‘why’ of the study.
• There are several ways of identifying a research
problem. They include;
 Identifying research problem
• Personal experience or the experience of others may
be a source of problem supply. 

• Review of existing literature. You may read about

certain findings and notice that a certain field was
not covered.  This could lead to a research problem. 

• Theories could be a third source.  Shortcomings in

theories could be researched.
Identifying research problem cot’d
• Discussion with experts on the area of concern. This
could be in a seminar or class.
• Previous research studies in the field of your interest.
A review of these studies may provide the researcher
with other researchable projects around that area
• Replication of the previous studies using different
procedure or the same to find if you will get same
results .
• Media. Issues frequently reported in the media can
be a source
• Braining Storming: Intensified discussion within a
group of interested persons may often be a means
of identifying pertinent questions, and of
developing new ideas about a problem.
• Research: Research on one problem may suggest
problems for further research.
• Intuition: Sometimes new ideas may strike to one’s
mind like a flash. Reflective mind is a spring
of knowledge.
• Exposure to field situations: Field visits, internship
training and extension work provide exposure to
practical problems which call for study.
 Problem Researchability
Some problems areas may not be researchable or they may
not be worth the effort. Therefore before choosing an
area for research, ask yourself the following questions
1. Will your research contribute to knowledge and practice
2.Can you access the population you intend to study?

3.Do you have the time, Resources and skills needed for the
study?

4.Can it prove what you already know?

 Characteristics of a good problem
• Should lead to findings that have wide spread
implications in a particular area.
• Challenge some commonly held beliefs.
• Review the inadequacies of existing laws, views and
policies
• Find answers to problems whose answers have not
been found up to the present.
• Cover a reasonable scope. i.e. not too narrow or too
wide.
• It should be researchable or verifiable
 Characteristics cotd
• it should fill a void or extend the existing
research
• It should be replicable with new participants
or a new site
• The problem should not be overstudied or
understudied
• It should give “voice” to people not heard,
silenced, or rejected
 HOW TO STATE THE PROBLEM
• The statement of the problem involves the
demarcation and formulation of the problem, i.e.
the WHO/WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY. 
• The research problem within this study

• Justification for the problem (based on past

research and practice)

• Shortcoming of past research or practice.

• The importance / significance of the problem

 Statement of the problem cot’d
• The problem statement should close with a
question.
• Typically, the question contains two variables, a
measurable relationship, and some indication of
population.
• The research problem should be stated in such a
way that it would lead to analytical thinking on
the part of the researcher with the aim of
possible concluding solutions to the stated
problem. 
 Statement of the problem cotd

•Research problems can be stated in the form of

either questions or statements.

•The research problem should always be

formulated grammatically correct and as
completely as possible. 
•You should clearly bring out the independent
variables, dependent variable and the population
you intend to generalize your findings on. These
variables should be the same as those appearing in
the title/topic.
 Statement of the problem cot’d
• A statement of the problem should not exceed one page.
• It should show why the candidate is proposing the study.
• It should define the variable(s) and their relationships /
issue(s) to be investigated.
• Reference should be made to the problem that has been
detected and needs a theoretical and practical solution.
• the nature of the problem & its known or estimated
magnitude or extent should be clearly stated.
 Statement of the problem cotd
• The problem statement must provide adequate focus
and direction for the research.
• It should also identify key variables of the study and
suggest the appropriate methodology for the study.
• statistical information or citation used should be used to
highlight the magnitude or extent of the problem.
• Major previous researches undertaken on the subject
should be briefly cited to indicate where the gaps in the
knowledge are and justify the need for another study .
 Statement of the problem
• In stating the problem, the following should
be brought out:
• What is the problem that you need to address and why is it a problem?
• The problem should be on dependent variable and you mention how it is
a problem
• Mention the problem and justify it with evidence and sources (Recent
and relevant literature)
• State the policy documents and studies that have tried to address the
problem
• State the concerns and deficiencies in those studies about the
dependent variable e.g Some few studies done on
(dependent variable) [XXX,2019; YYY,2021] have been mainly
in (say business sector, and they indicate that…… but they
hardly point out the influence of (your dependent variable)
on say public sector. If this study is not undertaken (mention
what is likely to happen) and therefore this study intends to
investigate…………
• Or Statement of the problem could be stated
using the following definition of the problem.
• It is the discrepancy between what it should
be and what it is. What it should be is the
Ideal situation and what it is, is the current
situation which should be given with statistical
evidence with the source.
 References
• Amin, E. M. (2005). Social Science research: conception,
methodology and analysis. Makerere University printery.
Kampala.
• Neuman, W.L. (2003). Social Research Methods: Qualitative
and Quantitative Approaches. Fifth Edition Pearson
Education; Inc. 2003 Boston, USA.
• Sekaran, U.(2003)Research methods for business: A skill
building approach (4th ed.)John Wiley & Sons Inc.
• Suter,N.W.(2006) Introduction to Educational Research. A
critical Thinking Approach. Sage publications. New Dheli.